Therapeutic Donor Insemination (Artificial Insemination Donor)

Abstract

Artificial insemination has been known to man for centuries. Since the late 19th century it has been utilized extensively for breeding of farm animals. In humans, the experience until this century was primarily with husband insemination. When, in the early part of this century, the first reports of the use of a donor appeared, they were greeted by a storm of indignation. Only in the last 50 years has therapeutic donor insemination (TDI) been sufficiently widespread that it is now accepted as more than just a controversial medical curiosity. In the Western world, the number of children available for adoption has decreased because of changing attitudes toward abortion and toward single parenthood. This has led many couples to view TDI as the only source for the relief of their childlessness.